At the occasion of the 133rd meeting of the WHO Executive Board, a resolution highlighting the need for action on psoriasis was unanimously adopted by the Executive Board members, following a comprehensive report of the disease by the WHO Secretariat. Click here to go to the WHO report on psoriasis and resolution EB133.R2

Some people have boundless energy and stamina. Those who don't, due to disability, find it difficult to explain their energy levels and have to deal with people who think they're lazy. And that's where spoons come in.  It's a quirky and easy to understand way of explaining how much energy you have left. A growing number of people with stamina difficulties, such as those with ME, fibromyalgia, Ehlers Danlos syndrome and mental health problems, use spoons to quantify how they are feeling on a given day. It's not really possible to measure energy levels scientifically but this unit of measurement - numbers of spoons - is a fun explainer.

For more information, go to the BBC website 

Airing Pain is giving you a chance to catch up with the latest series over the summer. In tonight’s edition, Paul Evans interviews renowned expert Professor Lorimer Moseley, author of Explain Pain and Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Chair in Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia, to find out what pain is and how it is related to the brain.

Tune in tonight at 8pm at ableradio.com

The podcast is available to listen to at any time and can be accessed atpainconcern.org.uk

This international summit in Edinburgh on the 3rd and 4th of October 2013 will bring together consultants and next generation rheumatologists to share and exchange clinical best practice through high-level discussion groups, debate and expert panel sessions. 

The summit will focus on four key topic areas:

Systemic lupus erythematosus convened by Prof David D'Cruz, Lupus Research Unit, St Thomas' Hospital, London

Scleroderma convened by Prof Christopher Denton, Royal Free Hospital, London

Rheumatoid arthritis convened by Prof Iain McInnes, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, probably Scotland top Rheumatologist, world expert on psoriatic arthritis, and a friend to PSALV and many patients

Ankylosing spondylitis convened by Dr Martin Rudwaleit, University Hospital Charité, Berlin

A key element of Clinical Rheumatology State of the Art will be the presentation of case reports submitted by delegates, as oral presentations or posters. The case reports will provoke debate and discussion on the management of complex cases. The event will give delegates the opportunity to discuss their practice and take away lessons which can be implemented immediately in a clinical setting. More information available here

Fieldwork International is currently conducting a medical market research study with patients who take subcutaneous biologic drugs (e.g. Humira, Enbrel or Stelara) for the treatment of their psoriasis.

The research involves a 20-25 minute telephone interview. Participants would receive £50 gift vouchers as a thank you for your time.

The purpose of the research is to find out what patients think about the training that they get when they are started on the drug, and the counselling that they receive, and how they feel about the way that they receive their drugs, i.e. do they have any issues with delivery/supply, etc.

Fieldwork International is a well-established medical data collection agency that manages projects on all aspects of healthcare - medical, pharmaceutical and social aspects of patient care and the treatment and prophylaxis of disease. Our company adheres to the British Market Research Society Code of Conduct, which assures confidentiality of the respondent and anonymity of responses. More information can be found atwww.fieldworkinternational.com

If the above applies to you and you are interested in taking part, please email [email protected] or call Mathew on 020 3059 5453.

A skin patch that can deliver vaccines cheaply and effectively has been shown off at the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh. Using a patch rather than a needle could transform disease prevention around the world. For more information, go to the BBC website

The latest Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland update is available to view online at the Alliance website. It features an update on the Dementia Awareness Week event at the Scottish Parliament, News, Tweets and Events. 

The latest Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland update is available to view online at the Alliance website. It features an update on the Dementia Awareness Week event at the Scottish Parliament, News, Tweets and Events. 

PSALV's AGM is now confirmed for the 22nd of June at 1.30pm the the Jury's Inn, 43 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh. We really hope that you might be able to attend, and look forward to seeing you there

The Scottish government is making a £3m investment to fund more than a dozen new hospital consultant posts.

The cash, being provided over the next three years, will pay for about 14 full time positions and four part-time jobs. Three of the jobs will be created in Greater Glasgow and Clyde hospitals and two each in Ayrshire and Lothian, with recruitment starting immediately. For more information, go to the BBC website

The latest edition of the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland update is available to view here. It features news, events, tweets, events and the latest Scottish Government information.

The forthcoming ALLIANCE networking event, taking place at the Hub in Glasgow on the 20 June is on 'involvement'.
The event will include:
- Partnership approaches to involvement, using NES online module Emotion Matters as a case study. 
- Opportunities to share your organisations experiences of involving people in projects and your work.
- An overview of some of the ALLIANCE's key pieces of work and how to get involved in them

Email [email protected] for more information and to register.

Two common painkillers, ibuprofen and diclofenac, can slightly increase the risk of heart problems if taken in high doses for a long time, data suggests.

People with severe arthritis often take the drugs, which also calm inflammation, to go about daily life. The risks have been reported before, but a team of researchers at the University of Oxford analysed the issue in unprecedented detail in order to help patients make an informed choice.

For more information, go to the BBC website

MOST cross-party groups at the Scottish Parliament have now revealed whether or not they are receiving backing from companies and pressure groups trying to lobby MSPs, after it emerged they had ­broken strict rules. 

The groups – which exist to give MSPs from all parties a chance to engage with experts in a particular field – cover a range of topics. However, the lack of transparency under the old regime raised concerns about “back-door lobbying” and prompted a review of the entire system. In January, after the review had been written, it emerged that out of more than 70 groups listed at Holyrood, 63 had not filed an annual return.

For more information on this story, go to the Scotland on Sunday website.

This day summit will cover a range of contemporary issues facing those who govern public bodies as they attempt to guide their organisations through the challenging and turbulent years that lie ahead.

We have had confirmed by the Parliament Bureau that the day of the chronic pain debate will be Wed. 29th May, afternoon. There is a chance to hear MSPs from all Parties raise as many chronic pain issues as possible. This is a Government debate, arranged by the cabinet secretary for health, Mr. Alex Neil, who will outline the actions he proposes to take and the Opposition debaters likely to be led by Jackie Baillie MSP. 

This is a unique opportunity to come and hear such a debate as this will be the biggest debate on chronic pain ever in the Scottish Parliament. This time there will also be a vote at 5pm.

Tickets are available via The Scottish Parliament's website. We have been informed that it is best you hit the section "both afternoon time slots" rather than 2 - 4 or 4 - 6 pm. People can still leave the gallery when they choose. The Parliament just needs to see names and numbers for security purposes. 

Everyone who is interested in  chronic pain can attend , you do not need to be a member of the CPG.

MSPs have been hearing about the apparent postcode lottery on the prescribing of new drugs. Holyrood's health committee was told that across Scotland on average a third of requests for new medicines were rejected. Doctors and politicians criticised the process branding it "overly complex". However, the Scottish government rejected the postcode lottery claim, saying patients were treated on a case by case basis. For more information, go to the BBC website

More than three quarters of benefit claimants in Scotland would struggle to apply for payments online, according to a new report. The UK government is moving to a system which will eventually see most people claim benefits using the internet.

A Citizens Advice Scotland survey suggested 76% of those currently receiving benefits would find this difficult. The government has said it will work to identify those who need extra help. For more information go to the BBC website

The health benefits of exposing skin to sunlight may far outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer, according to scientists. Edinburgh University research suggests sunlight helps reduce blood pressure, cutting heart attack and stroke risks and even prolonging life. UV rays were found to release a compound that lowers blood pressure. Researchers said more studies would be carried out to determine if it is time to reconsider advice on skin exposure. Heart disease and stroke linked to high blood pressure are estimated to lead to about 80 times more deaths than those from skin cancer in the UK. For more information go to the BBC website

A two-year trial investigating the health benefits and risks of spending time in the sun has been launched in Salford. It aims to help clarify the balance between getting enough of the 'sunshine vitamin', and how much sun is too much. Seventy-five volunteers taking part in the Cancer Research UK-funded research at Salford Royal Hospital will be exposed to short periods of controlled ultra violet light. Lesley Rhodes, from the University of Manchester, who is leading the study, said: "What we are aiming to do is to attempt to find the optimal balance, and that is going to differ between skin types and and skin colours". For more information go to the BBC website

The second of the national learning sessions for the Person-Centred Health and Care Collaborative will take place on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st May 2013 in Glasgow’s Scottish Exhibition Centre.  This event is for NHS, local authorities, third sector and people who use health and social care services and self-directed support. Registration is now open here

The latest newsletter from the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland is now available to view here. This month's edition features news from the Alliance's annual conference, Parliamentary news, and events from across Scotland.

The body which advises NHS boards on whether to use new drugs should meet in public, a review has said.The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice to NHS boards about the clinical and cost-effectiveness of all newly-licensed medicines.The New Medicines Review made a series of recommendations including letting patients and health professionals observe the appraisal process.For more information on this story, go to the BBC website

Bill Kidd MSP invites you to attend The Arthritis Care Scotland Professional Lecture “The 3R’s of Arthritis: Recognise, Respond, Relieve” at the Scottish Parliament, 6pm – 9pm, Thursday 16 May, 2013, Committee Room 1. As part of Arthritis Awareness Week, Arthritis Care Scotland's first professional lecture will inform policy makers and professionals about the latest ideas on tackling arthritis. Chaired by Scottish Society for Rheumatology chairman Dr Alan MacDonald, speakers include Dr Duncan Porter, Dr Philip Mackie and Arthritis Care Scotland Director, Angela Donaldson.

The evening will also offer the opportunity to discuss the wider issues surrounding living with arthritis with people of all ages who face these challenges on a daily basis, such as; patient choice, self-management, access, information and equality. RSVPs can be made to Joanne Moss, either by telephone on 0141 954 7776 or by email at [email protected].

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is introducing a new online ‘Patient Feedback’ system. This new system will provide a confidential, user friendly way for patients, their families and the wider public to share their healthcare experiences, good or bad. These comments will then be passed to relevant staff who can use the feedback to help changes services. Before the ‘Patient Feedback’ project is launched NHS GGC would like to invite you to give feedback and comments about the service including suggestions for how it could be improved.
To take part go to www.nhsggc.org.uk/patientfeedback

The Cross Party Group on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis invites you to a briefing and Q & A on 17th April 2013. Dr James Hogg, Deputy Medical Director for NHS Grampian, will deliver a lecture entitled 'Developing ways that technology can be used to help patients understand and manage a huge variety of conditions' which will be held from 6 - 8pm in the Committee Room 6 of the Scottish Parliament (entry via Horse Wynd, Edinburgh EH99 1SP). For any queries or if attending, RSVP (for security) to [email protected] 0131 348 5724

You could get between £21 and £134.40 a week to help with the extra costs caused by a disability if you’re aged under 16 or 65 or over. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is paid at different rates depending on the level of help you need. You may need an assessment to work out what you need. For more information go to the Gov.UK website

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is abolishing the discretionary Social Fund from 1 April 2013.  This includes DWP’s Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for living expenses. A new £33 million Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF) that is being introduced by the Scottish Government from that date. Information about the SWF can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/welfarereform/scottishwelfarefund.